Thursday, October 25, 2007

Put your iPod/mp3 player on random and list the first 10 songs:1. Found Out About You - Gin Blossoms2. I'm Gonna Be Ready - Yolanda Adams3. Right Here/Human Nature - SWV my week isn't right unless I hear this song4. Plush - STP one of my favorite bands5. Holding Back the Years - Simply Red this song came out the year I graduated high school6. This Is How We Do It - Montell Jordan7. Sweet Love - Anita Baker from my favorite album of all time8. My Love - Little Texas9. Give Me You - Mary J Blige10. You Get What You Give - The New Rascals

I was reading other people's blogs and discovered this. It had me thinking whatever happened to growing up to become a strong independent woman who doesn't need a man to make her life but to share it.....

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Today is my knitting anniversary. On October 24, 2006 at Knotty Girl Yarns, I learned to "stitch and bitch." (Ok.... alright.....I knew how to bitch loong before then)LOL I had my first knitting lesson and learned to cast on using the long tail cast on and to knit. Two days later, I learned to bind off in knit stitch and to purl. I used to hate to purl. I would have to read in my Stitch and Bitch book how to purl because I would choose patterns that used knit stitch only. That was of course before I found out about with website, knittinghelp.com and their great knitting videos.

The reason I knit is because of myaimistrue. Last year I started watching Project Runway. I would read the blogs online that recapped the show. One blog that I kept going back to was www.myaimistrue.com. I thought her recaps were so funny. I started reading her other posts and saw that she was knitting socks. Then October came and she was knitting socks for Socktoberfest. I thought to myself.... I want to do that! So I called around and made an appointment at Knotty Girl Yarns. Looking back that was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I love to knit and it gives me a creative outlet and peace and calm.

Apple Harvest Sock Update:

I knitted heel, heel flap and was decreasing the gusset when I decided to rip back to the end of the leg. I wasn't liking the holes on the sides of the heel flap. Both sides of the heel flap were knitted in garter stitch and when I picked up the stitches on the sides to decrease the gusset, I had holes. I thought if I kept knitting that it would look better but it didn't soooo I ripped. Those extra knit stitches account for the modification of the original pattern in which I casted on 72 stitches instead of 60. I'm going to try knitting the extra stitches in the heel flap in stockinette and see if I like that better.

I've added 2 new sock yarns to my meager sock yarn collection....

The 1st one is Shi Bui 100% superwash merino in Pink Blossom colorway. (It looks orangey in the picture but it's because of the lighting when I took the photo.) It's soo soft. I already have the yarn earmarked for socks for a buddy's upcoming birthday. I covet Shi Bui's Midnight, Peacock, Peony, Mulberry, Marine, Roppongi, and Jewel colorways

The 2nd one is a new find.... Farmhouse Yarns' Bo Peep's Not Just for socks yarn (75% merino and 25% nylon). When I ordered it, I was going to use it for socks as a thank you gift for a buddy that did me a favor. Now that I have it I want to keep it for myself. I also like the boysenberry, old roses, orchid, rhapsody, plums&pinks, and wildflower.

What I'm reading:

I've been reading The Apprentice. It's the second book in the Jane Rizzoli series by Tess Gerritsen. I'm liking it so far.

What I'm watching:

Dexter.... he's the serial killer of serial killers. This is a great show. I've gotten hooked on it. Michael C. Hall plays Dexter on the show. Those that watched HBO's Six Feet Under will remember him as David Fisher. Dex is nothing like sweet David.

House..... I'm liking this season alot better than I liked season 3. Cutty rehired Foreman... I cannot wait until next week to see how House takes the news. I also joined the House Along blog. I've been in Wilson's category(socks). Maybe the shawl I want to knit will fit into Cutty's category. I'm also participating in a "House Challenge." Over on Polite Dissent's blog last week he had use pick out 10 diseases that could diagnosed on House. My picks are

1. dissminated Tb….. and the lab tests will come back way too quick confirming the dx

2. Kawasaki disease

3. TTP- thrombic thrombocytopenic purpura

4. Loeys-Dietz aortic aneurysm syndrome- House will come into the patient’s room and have him/her say aahhh and then we’ll get to see his/her split uvula

5. Nephropathic epidemia with internal hemorrhaging- we’ll get to see a bloody urine so we know there’s renal involvement/cause vole bite

6. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever- tick bite

7. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease-mad cow disease

8. HHT- hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia with AVMs-the team will keep misdiagnosing the patient 1st it’ll be Tb because of the spot in the lungs on the xray until they get to the right dx/treatment will be life long estrogen therapy

9. Neimann Pick disease type C

10. Maple syrup disease-patient has dementia/no one ever collects a urine on the patient

What are your favorite kinds of coffee? (Brands, Roasts, anything at all you'd like to share!)Do you prefer whole bean or ground coffee? Cafe Calypso's house blends are wonderful. I like their Hawaiian Hazelnut and their Carmel Vanilla. Cafe Calypso is a coffee house inside of Half Price Books here in Corpus Christi. I also like Starbucks coffees. I like Starbucks' 10% Kona, Brazil Ipanema, French Roast and Cafe Verona. I prefer ground coffee.

This time of year, there are often Holiday Blends available, and many flavored coffees - do you drink flavored coffee? Yes. Do you enjoy special blends? Yes, I'm willing to try anything.

How do you take your coffee? Cream and Sugar? Straight up? Decaf? Ilike alot of mocha or french vanilla creamer and 3 packets of equal. I don't see the point of decaf coffee.

Do you prefer drinking from a nice thick mug, or a matched cup and saucer? I use 20 oz mugs.

Winter and Holidays

What is your favorite part of Winter? The weather is great. I get to make homemade soups and stews. I get to wear my knitted scarves, socks and hats. I love hot chocolate. Sometimes in the summer (or any other season)I'll drink it at work when I'm cold. Hot chocolate reminds me of my childhood.

Do you celebrate a holiday in December, and if so, which holiday? Christmas

If you celebrate Christmas, do you put up a tree? Sometimes, but the last couple, we've used my roommates' "electric light" fake christmas tree. A real tree can be a handful to deal with....all that vacuuming.

Would you enjoy items related to the holiday, or would you prefer a Winter themed package? A winter themed package would be great.

Do you collect anything? I collect seashells and butterflies. I'm thinking of starting to collect sock yarn because I really don't have a stash. Are there any holiday or winter-themed items (Snowmen, Angels, Snowflakes, Santas, etc) that you collect? no not really

Do you wear scarves? Mittens? Hats? Scarves, socks and hats

What is your favorite holiday or winter treat? Ohio chocolate buckeyes. My roommates' friend makes them every year......they are sooo good..... chocolate and peanut butter....... Of course, I like hot chocolate.

Please share a favorite Winter or Holiday memory. When I was growing up on Christmas eve, my mom and dad take my brother and I out driving around to look at the Christmas lights and decorations.

Yarn and Crafting

Do you Knit or Crochet? For how long? I've been knitting for exactly 1 year today :-) YAY!!! I've crocheting since the summer.

Do you like wooden, metal, or plastic needles\hooks? Circular or straight? I like Susan Bates' crochet hooks. I like how that hooks grab and hold the yarn..... I make fewer mistakes. I like Addi turbo circs. I like that the cable can hold the project when I'm not working on it. I heard good things about Knitpicks Harmony needles. I'm thinking of buying a few because I want to start knitting lace shawls.

What sort of projects do you enjoy making? Socks, socks and more socks LOL

What are your favorite types of yarn to work with? Superwash sock yarn (really an kind of woolen sock yarn) and worsted weight wool

Do you spin or dye? I'm trying to learn to spin. I was gifted a drop spindle and some pretty roving.

Do you do other crafts such as scrapbooking or needlepoint or anything else? I've been trying to sew. I've been trying to take a sewing class but something always comes up and I haven't yet.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Now that it is getting cooler here, it makes me think of apple picking and hay rides. Are you the type that likes to go to participate in all the fall festivities like apple picking, pumpkins, decorating for the fall, hay rides, baking fall goodies, etc. or do you just sit and count the days till Thanksgiving/Christmas/Hanukkah?

Apple Picking:Didn't the Unabomber say the happiest times in his life was going apple picking? lol *Well this is the closest I'll ever come to picking apples...

It's the Apple Harvest Socks from Northern Sunshine Designs. I'm using the incredibly soft White Willow's superwash sock yarn in the Prarie Grass colorway. It's part of her Native American sock yarn series. I used the Medicine Woman colorway to make the Twist&/Shout socks. My gauge is 9spi. I've modified the pattern because of the gauge and I casted on 72 stitches instead of 60.

Hay rides:I'm from cattle country, and I've never gone on a hay ride. I've ridden horses(on Mustang Island) before but it's not exclusively a Fall activity. On Mustang Island near Corpus Christi, you can go horseback riding on the beach. Most of the horses they have at the stables are gentle, docile mares. Speaking of mares and horses.... guess what I finished!

Now that I told you about my next sock project and my FO, I'm actually going to answer the topic question..... I like baking in the Fall apple pies, cakes, sweets, etc. I love how when a pie is baking in the oven the house is filled with the scent of cinnamon. I thinking of baking a peach cobbler this year. I've never attempted to do one. Peach cobbler was one of my grandmother's best recipes. I know I won't be able to do it like hers but I'm going to try.

*Note: I'm not saying people who pick apples are crazy. I was just making a joke. When I saw apple picking that was the first thought that came to me. I can remember back in 1996 listening to a radio program and the hosts were talking about the Unabomber. The FBI interviewed Kaczynski and he told them that apple picking with some woman was the happiest time in his life.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

I don't think the contest is still going on but here's a picture of me knitting. I took a video of me knitting on my digital camera but I don't know how to upload and post it on my blog. Plus it's been a busy week for me so I'm not willing to take the time to learn how to do it. Flash your needles and other items you use to make your wares. Dpns, circs, straights, hooks,tape measures, darning needles, favorite stitch markers, needle holders, cases, the works!

Here's a peek into my knitting bag:

I've had this messenger bag for a year. I bought it online from Target. It has served me well, but it's time for me to get a new bag. I was awake at 3:00 in the morning watching HSN. I've had good restraint in the past when I'm watched HSN. I usually ask myself do I really need whatever the item is that I'm looking and wanting to buy. In this case my answer was yes. My knitting messenger bag doesn't close anymore. The weekend tote will be here around October 19th.

I keep a ruler in my knitting bag because Ann Budd says that a measuring tape can stretch out and you won't get accurate measurements.

I got my magnetic darning needle holder as a free gift from a UK knitting magazine, ?Simply Knitting?. Has anyone had their Addi Turbos discolor/tarnish a little? The ones I use the most, the US 1s and Us7s both have a little discoloration/tarnish on them. I bought them from YarnMarket.com so I know that there real Addis......

My on the go knitting reference book is Margaret Radcliffe's The Knitting Answer Book. Great book and the lady is a very nice person. Last year I had a question about tension and elongated stitches. I called her in ?Maryland? on a Monday. She was running an errand and her husband said she would call me back. Well, she called me back and explained to me what I was doing wrong. Awesome, she's just awesome. (I think she is a master knitter and deserves a knitting black belt.)

I also keep a journal/notebook in my bag too. I use it to write notes to myself.

Last weekend, I finished reading The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen. It's the first in the Jane Rizzoli series. It was a good suspense book. I liked how the book accurately depicted trauma situations and what blood products a doctor would order in those situations.... ie someone blooding out would require packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma and platelets. Thuja Progress:I'm now knitting the heel flap of the 2nd sock. Hopefully, I'll be finished with this sock next week.

Thursday, October 4, 2007

I'm making the Thuja socks for my older brother. His birthday was last month. I casted on for these socks September 20th, a few days after his birthday. This post is for my brother so he can see the progress I'm making on his socks. :-)

Cuff:I initially casted on 104 stitches based on my 9 spi gauge and his foot circumference estimated as being 11 1/4 inches. I had trouble with ladders and it seemed like there was way tooooo many stitches. (I think my ladder problems stemmed from the fact that I was sleep deprived because I've never had a problem with ladders on 2 circs or magic loop.) I recasted on with 96 stitches and instead of the k1p1 ribbing that the cuff is supposed to be, I did a k2p2 ribbing.

Leg:I wanted to use a pattern that fairly easy since I would be knitting a big sock. The leg is knitted using seed stitch ribbing. It's a 2 row pattern. A repeating purl stitch in the second row is the only the difference this and stockinette.

Heel Flap and Turning the Heel:I started the heel with on the wrong side instead of the right side. I did that because I moved the last stitch on needle 2 to needle 1 and moved a stitch from needle 1 to needle 2. I used Schurch's tip, picking up 2 extra stitches at the top of the gusset, to keep holes from forming at the top of the gusset.

Foot and Toe Shaping:I made the foot 9 3/8 inches long. I used standard toe shaping. I was going to use a round toe shaping since 96 is a multiple of 8 and I had never done it before.... but I decided against it. I think the reason I had 2nd sock syndrome with the Twist & Shout socks was because I was trying to do too many new things.

I immediately casted on and knit the cuff of the 2nd sock. I going to have to stop knitting the sock for a couple of days because I need to finish My So Called Scarf and I'm working.

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Anne's topic of the week: I know that when Fall arrives, I'm much more excited about having foods like Chili and Soups and Crock Pot type meals - there's just something about coming home to a house that smells all nummy and having a nice bowl of warmth when there's a chill in the air outside.How about you? Are there any recipes you especially enjoy having in the Fall? Any foods that are seasonal that you especially enjoy?

I subscribe to a Southern cooking newsletter and I get alot of my recipes from it. One of the recipes I really like is the carne guisado. It's a tender stew meat with gravy. I serve it on top of rice. I also like to make chicken noodle soup with garlic. I serve it with crusty French bread. I know the times when the bakery at the grocery store makes them and I can time it to get them when the bread is fresh out of the oven. Of course Fall wouldn't be Fall if I didn't bake pies especially apple pies. I like to make apple pies with royal gala, jonathan or pippin apples.

Note: The image in this post is from the internet, mindpetals.com and not taken by me.

About Me

“Maturity is: The ability to stick with a job until it's finished; The ability to do a job without being supervised; The ability to carry money without spending it; and The ability to bear an injustice without wanting to get even” A. Van Buren